NHS Middlesbrough’s Life Store has seen a huge increase in the number of people using some of its most popular services.

Last year, stop smoking advisors at the Life Store in The Mall shopping centre, Middlesbrough, helped 964 people compared to 787 in 2008.

The NHS Middlesbrough Life Store is the only one of its kind in the country. It provides advice about healthy eating and healthy living in a contemporary environment with touch screens, plasma screens, events, demonstrations and group or one to one sessions with health trainers.

The unique store offers a range of services including baby hearing, audiology, carers’ support, blood pressure checks and BMI (Body Mass Index) tests as well as a packed programme of special events ranging from smoothie making to specialist health roadshows.

In 2009 Life Store conducted around 11,000 BMI tests and since its relaunch in April it has welcomed more than 28,000 people through its doors.

Lynne Blackburn, manager of the NHS Middlesbrough Life Store said: “2009 has been a fantastic year for the Life Store. We have had people coming in for advice on everything from healthy eating and weight management to travel health and diabetes. We have also been promoting the organ donor register with more than 400 people signing up in store. We would love to beat that figure during 2010.”

Go smoke-free in 2010

If you want to take the first steps towards stopping smoking, NHS Middlesbrough’s Life Store in The Mall holds drop in clinics to provide friendly support, advice and further information on kicking the habit. Feel free to call in at anytime but the clinics take place on Tuesdays 9.30am - 4.00pm, Thursdays 9.30am - 4.00pm and Saturdays 10am - 3pm. The Stop Smoking Services across Teesside can help you take the first step and set you on the way to giving up cigarettes for good. You are four times more likely to quit if you use your local stop smoking service rather than trying to give up on your own.

For more information, contact Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland Stop Smoking Service on 0800 952 4433 or Stockton and Hartlepool Stop Smoking Service on 01642 635650.

Walk this way!

If you’re looking for a way to boost your activity levels this year but have struggled to find one that’s right for you, NHS Middlesbrough and NHS Redcar and Cleveland’s walking group could be just the answer. The group leaves NHS Middlesbrough’s Life Store every Tuesday at 12.30pm and takes 45 minutes to an hour. Walking can be an effective and inexpensive way to increase your fitness while making new friends.

For more information about the group contact Don Burluraux, Health Walks Co-ordinator on 01642 737884.